Leylands Estate, Derby celebrated its 70-year anniversary on 20 October 2025.
This message of support is from John Henry Kneller Eborn; grandson of William Henry Eborn who established the estate and who Eborn House was named after.
Ladies and gentlemen, residents, staff and donors,
It is an honour to have been invited to forward a message for this auspicious occasion, being the platinum anniversary of Eborn House. The former Cottage Homes and now as the Retail Trust has played a very important part in my life for as long as I can remember.
Sadly I was a child when we lost my grandfather but I have many photos of him and my grandmother especially at fundraising events and also of him with Princess Elizabeth, later Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II, who remained Patron of the Cottage Homes from being princess to monarch. These together with documents will be presented to the Retail Trust archive.
I have, and treasure, the painting of my grandfather, born in 1889 who started work in the trade age 13 so his association was lifelong. The painting was presented to him at Claridges Hotel in London in June 1953 from ‘his friends in the trade’. The trade being the drapery trade but now, of course, the charity encompasses all aspects of retail.
Having well built homes for the hard-working retirees from retail is so important for two reasons; these being a warm, safe home and also a sense of community when increasingly families can be disjointed. A caring hub at Eborn House means that there are always friendly, professional staff to contact or to share a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Having had my career in property, I am thrilled that the house at the centre of the estate is maintained and put to good use and I always felt that Leylands Estate was particularly well laid out but most importantly are the people. These people are represented this afternoon; professional caring staff; frontline, office and phone based all of whom go the ‘extra mile’ always with a smile, the generous supporters who give their time and resources and most of all the residents who in my experience are always cheery with such a positive attitude despite life possibly not working out as they would have imagined when they set out in retail work.
Particularly happy memories for me were the annual visits to the Leylands Christmas party with my late parents William Grist Eborn and Mollie Eborn when we stayed at Eborn House. For us it always marked the beginning of Christmas and enjoying the party with the residents and staff was a highlight.
Nowadays with so much available on a smartphone people may think we have progressed as indeed we have in many ways. Indeed, the Retail Trust has additional telephone support as well as new locations. However, in other ways the needs and values from 70 years ago are not only very much still required but are evident as this exemplary charity continues to grow and adapt just as this house and its estate has adapted and grown over the seven decades we are celebrating today.
Have a wonderful afternoon. I look forward to meeting you all another time and to supporting the Retail Trust continuing the legacy of those before us. I ask you to raise your teacups by way of a toast to give thanks for the last 70 years of care in this wonderful place and to look forward to many more decades of care.
Happy platinum anniversary, John Eborn
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